Apparatus for making up wheels.



Patented l l u, I900.

A. A. TISDALE. APPARATUS FOR MAKING UP WHEELS.

A lication filed Dec. 13, 1897.

2 Sheets-Sheet (No Model.)

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No. 654,036. Patented July l7, I900. A A. TISDALE.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING UF WHEELS.

(Application filed Del. 18, 1897.) (No Model.) Sheets-Sheet 2.

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NiTEn STATES PATENT GFFICE.

ALBERT A. TISDALE, OF LEOMINSTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE WHITNEY REED CHAIR COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING UP WHEELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 654,636, dated July 17, 1900.

Application filed December 13, 189']. Serial No. 661,627- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT A. TISDALE, of Leominster, county of WVorcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Apparatus for Making up \Vheels, of which the following description, in connec-- tion with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

Existing methods of manufacturing tension-wheels with any considerable degree of nicety in the assemblage and adjustment of their component parts are inherently so ex-f pensive as to preclude the application of the product to any uses other than upon highpriced vehicles.

So-called tension-wheels of a cheap grade have been produced; butso faras I am aware these have been lacking uniformlyin equality of tension, and hence unequal to the rough usage to which they are subject, or if due regard has been given to the adjustment the increased labor charges have been met by a sacrifice in the quality of the material used and permanency of structure.

Accordingly the object of my invention is a method of and apparatus for producing tension-wheels of nice adjustment and perfect balance in such a simple manner and with such minimum expenditure of labor that the utilization of this type of wheels may be extended to doll-carriages and the like without sacrifice in the quality of the material employed.

Perfection of adjustment I am enabled to I insure by providing for the automatic engagement of the respective spokes at such a region and in such a manner that in the madeup wheel a draft will be exerted through said spokes sufficient to establish between the portions of the rim and hub adjacent the ends of the spokes, respectively, a tension uniform throughout the wheel, and as my method contemplates the permanent attachment of the spokes to the hub in adjusted position by a unitary operation the time and labor requisite may be kept within an extremely-low limit.

The various features of my invention will be illustrated and described fully in the'aocompanying drawings and specification and set forth in the claims.

of the rim. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on the line an 50, Fig. 5, with the spokes shown in elevation. Fig. 7 shows in side elevation the preferred formof tool used in setting the central parts of the wheel. Fig. 8 is a plan of the same looking from bottom to top, Fig.

7; and Fig. 9 shows one form of machine or means for actuating the setting-tool. In the preferred form of apparatus selected for illustration and description as a convenient means whereby my method may be carried into effect a support or bed A is pro vided to receive the wheel parts during the operation of making up, and on the support are placed the hub and rim in substan= tially the position shown in Fig. 1, where these parts are indicated by the reference-letters B and C, respectively, with the desired number of spokes D interposed. The rim may be of ordinary or of suitable construction, as do sired, and in this instance is shown (see Fig. 5) as a metal strip formed with a slightlyconveX tread and concave inner periphery, for the sake of strength, and pierced at c to provide apertures, countersunk slightly, preferably, on the tread side, to receive the heads d of the spokes D when the latter are of the preferred form illustrated, havingshanks which in this instance are repre- 9o sented as of heavy wire without any projections to hinder their insertion in and passage through the rim-apertures until their heads d are seated in the countersunk portions. After such insertion the inner spoke ends (1 should lie in proper position to be subjected to the operation of attachment to the hub, and I have found that a convenient, though not essential, order of assemblage is to place the hub in position centrally within the rim and theninsert the spokes into place. The construction of the hub may be varied within suitable limits; but in practice the form I have illustrated has been found satisfactory, presenting, as it does, a construction permitting permanent attachment of the spokes in position adjusted to provide for the requisite degree of tension and facilitating the automatic engagement of the spokes, respectively, atthe proper region of each to insure uniformity of tension throughout the wheel and permitting this attachment in adjusted position to be effected by a single stroke of a suitable setting tool or means.

As illustrated, the hub may be formed of an integral blank comprising a barrel 7), to which the inner ends of the spokes D are attached in an annularly-disposed series of unions at the region I), where for convenience of constructiomsymmetry, and stability a flange, continuous in this instance and integral with the barrel, is extended laterally to receive the inner ends of the spokes and alforda bearin g or brace against any tendency of the wheel to dish. When such a flange is provided, integral or otherwise, a convenient configuration to secure the desired advantages of attachment, to which reference has been made already, finds provision in an annularly-disposed series of attaching or clampingdevices Z2 for and traversed, respectively, by the inner portion of the spokes and in this instance taking the form of lugs extending upward adjacent shoulders 12 preferably continuous with one another and separated slightly from the-barrel, the shoulders serving as an anvil or saddle across which the stroke of the setting means or tool bends, preferably, the shanks of the respective spokes,for a purpose to be set forth.

I am aware that it has been proposed to form heads of various shapes upon the inner ends of spokes and by various means to connect these permanent heads with the hub, and I wish at this juncture to lay stress upon the following disclosure of a feature of my invention which constitutes a notable point of differentiation between my novel method and previous devices.

Spokes manufactured with inner heads, loops, hooks, or the like must of necessity be of standard and unvarying length, and an inequality of the radius from the rim to the hub, between the respective regions of two spokes, while possibly of insulficient proportions to affect the tread of a wheel, especially in the case of doll-carriages or the like, frequently leaves one of the spokes loose, or if tension be put upon that spoke by tightening up the others an excessive draft on the wheel as a whole or on some portion of it results inevitably, and the life of the wheel is shortened. I have succeeded in eliminating this limitation upon the adaptability of this type of wheels by providing for positioning the spokes, rim, and hub for the operation of making up or setting so that equality of radius and tension is insured regardless of the exact position of the extreme inner ends of the spokes and without the necessity for inner heads or the like.

The method disclosed in the present application for the purpose of enabling the operation of my apparatus to be understood more readily forms the subjectof a separate application filed November 6, 1899, Serial No. 735,881, and said method accordingly is not claimed in the present application.

The rim and hub being disposed concentrically with respect to each other upon the support A and the spokes being in place traversing the portion of the hub where their attachment is to be effectedin this instance at the lugs h of which there is shown a pair for each spokeI prefer to provide in part, if not in whole, for the requisite tension before" the setting operation proper. Accordingly I provide means of any suitable construction to force the spokes and adjacent portions of the rim inward, preferably radially, leaving the intermediate rim portions free, until the spokes are in proper position for attachment to the hub, to be effected in this instance by bending the lugs b down to engage the spokes and clamp them to the flange. I do not, however, restrict myself to the use of this flange nor any specific means of attachment, since any means which can be caused to engage the spokes after the positioning step and regardless of the exact position of their inner extremities to hold them to the hub will fall within the spirit of myinvention. In the instance illustrated the radial positioning of the spokes is accomplished by the action of projections e on shaping devices (three in number in this instance) E E E, a convenient arrangement being to attach one device or block E to the support A, as by bolts 6, with its projections 6 presented inwardly toward the central position occupied by the hub, while the other shaping devices E E may be mounted to swing about pivots e a shown as bolts respectively positioned adjacent to the block E, whence the shapers are extended around the wheel-bed with their inner sides conforming in contour to the periphery of the rim, toward which they present projections 6, similar in appearance and function to those similarly designated on the block E.

The relative position of the shapers is such that when the free ends of the members E E are approached toward one another each projection 6 will be brought into engagement with the head of a spoke and preferably the adjacent portion of the rim and will be caused to exert on the spoke-heads, respectively, a

justable retaining-nut e the lever cooperating with convenient portions of the shapers, as the offsets c 6, through which the drawrod is passed loosely, the cam and nut acting, respectively, on the outer sides of the offsets.

To separate the sh apers automatically, suitable means may be provided, and for this purpose a spring 6 is shown, while a stop 6 will serve conveniently as one form of means to limit the movement of the levers toward each other and relatively to the support.

After adjustment of the spokes, with the rim thrown temporarily out of normal c011- tour, the attachment of the spokes to the hub is efiected and the rim then released, its resiliency causing an assumption of the normal circular shape, in the establishment whereof the wheel as a whole is put under uniform tension by the draft exerted on the heads of the spokes, respectively.

I prefer to utilize an additional means of preventing displacement by bending the ends d into such relation with the region of attachment, wherever situated, that an offset is formed in each spoke, which will engage the material of the hub positively and prevent possibility of escape of the spokes therefrom. The manner in which this may be accomplished in the instance illustrated will readily be seen upon inspection of Figs. 4 and 6, Where the ends d appear offset across the shoulder b and of different lengths, illustrating clearly the flexible and automatic nature of my method and its adaptability to the production of a cheap prod not without extended preparation of parts.

Any suitable tool or means for performing the operation of attachment or setting of the parts may be used, and similarly for offsetting the spoke ends when this is desired; but I have devised for this purpose a tool which serves both purposes in a unitary operation, consisting of a single swaging stroke, and the preferred form of this tool is shown in Figs. '7 and 8, where in the face f of a cylindrical head fare formed swaging-notches f at suitable distances and of a suitable contour to receive the respective pairs of lugs 6 which are engaged and bent over by the walls of the notches. This swaging action results upon approaching the tool to the hub axially and forcing it by suitable means into engagement with the lugs, a central boref being provided, preferably, to permit clearance of the hubbarrel 1) when the same has an axial extension beyond the attaching region, as illustrated. The means to offset the spoke end is shown as an annular rib f disposed coaxially between the swaging-notches and the bore and preferably protruding slightly beyond the face f for a purpose to be now set forth.

I have found that the step of offsetting the spoke ends offers an available opportunity to exert a radial draft upon the spokes, affording thus a means of creating tension which may be used alternately or in conjunction with the peripheral thrust already set forth or other suitable tension -establishing means. When, therefore, the rib f" or its equivalent is forced against the spoke ends 01, it preferably bites into them slightly, being of suitable contour for that purpose, andimparts to them a draft in bending them over the attaching portion of the hubin this instance the flan ge-shoulder b so that ad justmentfor any inequalities having been effected automatically in positioning the parts before attachment each spoke is engaged at exactly the right portion to receive a draft uniform throughout the wheel with perfect equality of tension as the result. the rib enables it to engage the spokes and accomplish this draft before the lugs are bent down to clamp the spokes in permanent position, and it will be obvious that provision forvariation in the degree of tension may be The protrusion of made at will in the construction of the tool.

The means for setting the wheel parts may be actuated in any suitable manner, and when a tool of the class described is used it may be operated by hand or by power, and in Fig. 9 I have illustrated such a tool F, arranged to be operated by power, the form of actuating means P, selected for illustration in this instance, consisting of a power-press of such a well-known type as not to require extended description. The tool F is shown as carried by the plunger p, which, with the tool, may be actuated vertically in a reciprocating manner toward and away from the base 10, deriving its power from a suitable source (not shown) through the wheel 10 and crank-shaft p The wheel parts-in this instance shown as assembled upon a support A of the form illustrated in Fig. 1may be introduced beneath the tool F for the setting stroke, after which the support may be withdrawn when separable from the base, as I prefer to have it for convenience in assemblage of the wheel parts, though of course the support or bed might be integral wit-h the base or bed proper of the press.

Having thus described my invention fully, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the exact construction herein shown, inasmuch as the same may be varied in many particulars without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters 1 Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus for making up tensionwheels, a support for the wheel parts, and means adjacent said support to engage the wheel at its periphery to cause simultaneous inward radial movement respectively of the several spokes and adjacent rim portions, to position said spokes for attachment to the hub, and means to place said spokes under tension and at the same time effect said attachment, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus for making up tensionwheels; a support for the wheel parts; two shaper devices presenting inwardly-shaping surfaces approximately semicircular respectively and presenting rim-engagin g portions with intervening cut-away spaces; and means to bring said shaper devices into radial engagement with said wheel parts.

a In an apparatus for making up tensionwheels of the type having a rim, spokes, and a hub provided with an attaching portion adapted to be traversed by said spokes; a support for said wheel parts; and setting means adapted to engage said spokes immediately adjacent said attaching portion to cause engagement of the former with the latter to determine the position of said spokes relatively to said hub, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus for making up tensionwheels,a die having a head, the face whereof is provided with swaging grooves and a spoke engaging rib, substantially as described.

5. The combination in apparatus for making up wheels, of a support to receive the assembled wheel parts, means to engage said wheel parts and place the several spokes under tension and simultaneously set the same in adjusted position, and actuating means for said setting means, substantially as described.

6. The combination in apparatus for making up wheels, of a bed or support to receive the wheel parts in assembled position, means to adjust said wheel parts relatively to each other to insure the existence of tension in the wheel after the setting operation, means to set simultaneously the several spokes in adjusted position, and actuating means for said setting means, substantially as described.

7. The combination in apparatus for making up wheels under tension, of means to receive the wheel parts and present the same in position adjusted relatively to each other for the setting operation, means adapted to engage said wheel parts and at a single stroke to set the said parts to form a tension-wheel, and actuating means for said setting means.

8. The combination in apparatus for making up wheels, of a bed or support for the assembled wheel parts, a setting-tool arranged to move at right angles to said support to engage the spokes and set the same in adjusted position on the hub, and means to actuate said tool.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, a support for the wheel parts; and a plurality of shaper devices adjacent said support, two of said devices being rotatable respectively about pivots situated near one end of each and free to be drawn toward each other at their other ends, said shaper devices being so proportioned that when said pivotally-movable devices are thus approached toward each other, said shaper devices will be brought respectively into radial engagement with said wheel parts on all sides of the latter; and an actuating device comprising a draw-rod connecting and to draw said shaper devices together, and a cam-lever to operate said drawrod.

10. In an apparatus of the class described; a support A for the wheel parts; shaper devices E, E, E having projections e and intervening spaces c; said support and shaper devices cooperating with each other and with said wheel parts in the manner and for the purpose substantially as set forth.

11. In an apparatus for making up tensionwheels, a die having setting means adapted to engage the spokes, exert a drawing action thereon and set the same in adjusted position on the hub.

12. The combination in apparatus for making up wheels under tension, of means to receive the wheel parts and present the same in position adjusted relatively to each other for the setting operation, and means adapted to engage the respective spokes directly and simultaneously to place said spokes under tension and set said parts at a single stroke to form a tension-wheel.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT A. TISDALE.

Witnesses:

A. L. BURDITT, E. S. OAWTHORNE. 

